Kenyan Drake’s Fantasy Breakout Looms After Exiting The Draft With Improved Line and Minimal Competition

Explosive Miami RB Kenyan Drake’s fantasy stock was already pointing upward after his two greatest 2018 thorns were removed: Adam Gase and Frank Gore. Now, after he exits the 2019 NFL Draft with minimal competition and beefy lineman additions, Drake’s fantasy value continues to climb. Though new HC Brian Flores has already said every player will need to earn their usage, this Patriots-influenced scheme should feature plenty of RB volume, especially in the passing game; Drake’s path to the lionshare of touches appears clear. Newly-acquired QB Josh Rosen could also propel this offense to far more scoring if he realizes his potential. These expected Usage and Scheme boosts, and potential Surrounding Talent gains, should allow Drake to capitalize upon his high-end athleticism and become a major fantasy factor in 2019.

Indeed, Drake will need to beat out Kalen Ballage, as well as sixth-round rookie Myles Gaskin, for the largest slice of Miami Ground PIe. Plus, Chad O’Shea’s offense will likely feature multiple backs given New England’s committee roots. Sill, O’Shea has already promised to use his RBs as a foundation, noting:

“The back is an important part of the offense… you look at the Dolphins’ roster right now, [and] it’s exciting to look at the backs. Competitively playing against those backs in New England that are in Miami now, it’s been a group that has a lot of strengths, and I can’t wait to work with them.”

Drake, who has been watching tape on James White, is incredibly encouraged, praising this offense’s ability “get the ball to running backs in check-down situations” allowing them “make the person miss and take it the distance every time..get into the zone or lose leverage to my advantage. To free up space for me to make plays.”

Playmaking is certainly one of Drake’s calling cards, and a White-style role would allow his ability to make tacklers miss and zip up the field flourish.

Though the line is a major liability, the Dolphins were clearly intent on improving their blocking, investing three of only six total picks into two lineman (3rd round guard Michael Deiter & 6th round Tackle Isaiah Prince) and a fullback (Chandler Cox).

Bottom Line: Pass-catching specialist, who? Christian McCaffrey returned to his college workhorse roots under new OC Norv Turner, and quickly put up Fantasy MVP-worthy numbers. He continued to flash his otherworldly receiving abilities, hauling in an NFL record 106 catches for 875 yards and 6 TDs. Yet where the usage really rose was the carries, as McCaffrey nearly doubled his 2017 total for 215 carries, 1080 yards, and 7 scores. These 321 total touches ranked third behind only Ezekiel Elliott and Saquon Barkley, and this newfound volume created the ultimate ceiling / floor combination. In the process, McCaffrey flashed both the elusiveness, breakaway ability, and most shockingly underrated power to redefine the workhorse model.

​New OC Norv Turner deserves immense credit for this outburst. His previous work with LaDanian Tomlinson proved he wasn't afraid to ride a smaller-back, as he's able to scheme his guys in space and in creative outside gaps versus just blasting them up the gut... but even still, never before had an NFL back played nearly 97% of the team's snaps. Yes, this number inevitably will fall in 2019, but McCaffrey should still hover around 85-90%, especially with Turner returning. Expect a similar buffet of weekly volume with the upside for even more efficiency should the Panthers beef up their line while their explosive young wideouts take a next step forward.

Ceiling Projection: 320 touches (100 rec.), 2,000 Tot. Yds, 13 TDs

Floor Projection*: 270 touches (70 rec.), 1600 Tot. Yds, 7 TDs

Actual Projection: 310 touches (90 rec), 1900 Tot. Yds, 12 TDs

*Note - Floors are done without injuries in mind. Of course the lowest floor is torn ACL first play of scrimmage. This assumes 16 games